Are People Getting Rhinoplasty for the Perfect “Selfie”?

We live in a digital world, and almost everyone contributes to social media in some way. Never before have we shared as much as a society, and with the accessibility of cameras and digital photos, more and more images are shared every day on sites like Facebook, Tumblr and Instagram.

There is a lot of good that comes out of social media, and it can be enjoyable to craft a profile and take photos. But there are consequences of so much self-scrutiny as well, which often manifests as self-esteem and confidence issues related to appearance.

People are seeing themselves from all angles now, and many are not pleased with what they see in “selfies” and other photos. Photo manipulation, including choosing flattering angles, filters, and other tricks can help create a better photo, but these are not permanent effects. Some people are not satisfied with these tactics and turn to a more permanent solution: rhinoplasty.

Rhinoplasty in the Digital Age

Rhinoplasty, also known as a “nose job” has always been a popular procedure, despite being one of the most difficult plastic surgeries to perform. Today, with the customization and number of techniques available, the procedure is extremely flexible and complex. Rhinoplasty has long been a solution for functionally flawed noses and for aesthetic issues and defects, and today it has only grown in popularity. Many surgeons feel that the rise of the selfie and social media have had an impact on this growth, or at least has influenced the reasons people seek nasal surgery. Since selfies are taken close to the face, the nose can seem larger than it actually is in photos, which can be a problem for some people. As more daily life begins to take place online, it is not surprising that social media is affecting the demand for plastic surgery.

What Rhinoplasty Can Accomplish … and What It Cannot

There are many ways rhinoplasty can make someone look and feel better about themselves. Functional rhinoplasty can help alleviate breathing problems and improve quality of life for patients, while cosmetic rhinoplasty can have significant emotional benefits, helping patients feel more secure and confident online and in person.

Cosmetic rhinoplasty can accomplish many different goals, including changes in nose size, improvements to nasal defects, improved facial balance and aesthetics, tip refinement, and reduction in nasal humps. While these improvements are often significant, patients must also be aware of the limitations of rhinoplasty and always keep expectations reasonable. Rhinoplasty is not a cure for low self-esteem, nor will it produce a “perfect” nose. Patients with reasonable expectations and a skilled surgeon performing the surgery, however, are generally very happy with the results of the surgery.

Increased Patient Information … and Misinformation

In addition to influencing the way people see themselves, social media has other effects on cosmetic surgery. It has changed the way patients find and choose plastic surgeons, and offers a powerful tool for learning more about the procedure and providers. However, it is important for patients to be smart consumers and researchers of the available information. There is a lot of unreliable information online, and it is easy to become misinformed. The best way to use the information available is to use it as a starting point and a way to generate questions for prospective plastic surgeons, who have the most informed answers to specific queries.

Doctor information, before and after photos, and patient reviews are all tools prospective rhinoplasty patients can use to help plan their surgeries.

Making the Decision

If you are considering rhinoplasty, it is important to take your time in your decision-making. Simply looking better in selfies and other photos is a perk of rhinoplasty, but it is not necessarily something your decision should rest on. Make sure you are prepared for everything involved with the surgery before you move forward.

If you decide that rhinoplasty is right for you, then it’s time to start researching plastic surgeons. Only meet with qualified, experienced, board certified facial plastic surgeons who specialize in rhinoplasty. Because the surgery is so complex, it is essential to choose a seasoned rhinoplasty specialist to perform the surgery.

Dr. Stuart Bentkover is an acclaimed facial plastic surgeon based in Worcester (508-363-6500) and Stoneham (617-247-0033), MA, offering patients custom, natural-looking results with rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty. Dr. Bentkover has dedicated over 20 years to the art of rhinoplasty and has helped a wide range of patients achieve their goals. If you would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Bentkover, call either location today.

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